Speech on the 75th Anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations

Thoi Dai Magazine respectfully introduces the full text of the speech of Mr. Phan Anh Son, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, at the 75th Anniversary of the Traditional Day (November 17, 1950 - November 17, 2025), receiving the First Class Labor Medal and the Patriotic Emulation Congress for the period 2025-2030.

On the morning of November 17 in Hanoi , the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations solemnly held the 75th Anniversary of Traditional Day (November 17, 1950 - November 17, 2025), received the First Class Labor Medal and the Patriotic Emulation Congress for the period 2025-2030.

Thoi Dai Magazine respectfully introduces the full text of the speech commemorating and summarizing the patriotic emulation movement for the period 2020 - 2025 by Mr. Phan Anh Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations at the program.

Mr. Phan Anh Son, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, presented the Commemorative speech. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

"Dear Comrade Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Fatherland Front, Central organizations, President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front,

Dear Comrade Bui Thanh Son, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,

Dear Comrade Uong Chu Luu, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice President of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Chairman of the Vietnam Peace Committee,

Dear comrades, members of the Party Central Committee, leaders of central departments, ministries, branches and agencies, leaders of provinces and cities,

Dear Mr. Saadi Salama, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine to Vietnam, Head of the Diplomatic Corps,

Dear Ms. Pauline Temasis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam,

Dear Ambassadors, Chargé d'Affaires, representatives of embassies, United Nations organizations, international organizations, and foreign non-governmental organizations in Vietnam.

Dear Leaders, former Leaders, Standing Committee Members, Presidium Members, Leaders of member organizations of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations of all periods.

Dear domestic and international partners,

Dear comrades and friends!

Today, in a spirit of emotion and pride, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Traditional Day and the Patriotic Emulation Congress for the period 2025-2030. Allow me, on behalf of the Presidium of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, to send my respectful greetings and sincere thanks to the leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly, Government, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; departments, ministries, branches, localities; representatives of diplomatic agencies, international organizations; foreign non-governmental organizations; partners, close friends at home and abroad who attended, sent flowers and congratulatory messages. The presence of you and your friends not only shows your concern, but also demonstrates and symbolizes the friendship, trust, empathy and sharing that we deeply cherish.

Dear comrades and friends,

Right from the early days of the country's founding, with a sharp political vision, a desire for peace, a humanistic diplomatic ideology, and a special understanding of the strength of international solidarity and the value of understanding and cooperation between nations, of the connection between the Vietnamese people's aspiration for independence and freedom with human conscience and justice, President Ho Chi Minh directed the establishment of the first people's foreign affairs organizations: Vietnam - US Friendship Association (October 17, 1945), Vietnam - China Friendship Association (March 22, 1950), Vietnam - Soviet Union Friendship Association (May 23, 1950), Vietnam World Peace Protection Committee (November 19, 1950) opening a special diplomatic method, flexible but persistent, quiet but profound: that is people's diplomacy.

Generations of cadres, leaders, civil servants and workers of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations were extremely proud when in 2008, the Central Party Secretariat agreed to take November 17, 1950, the day President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to the Congress to establish the Vietnam World Peace Protection Committee, as the Traditional Day of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.

Looking back over the past 75 years, we are more deeply aware of the power of faith, of international solidarity and of unity in overcoming difficulties. During the fierce war, people's diplomacy has achieved glorious feats, contributing to the formation of a broad united front across five continents, from ordinary workers to political activists, parliamentarians, intellectuals, journalists and artists. Millions of letters, poems, photos, marches and anti-war movements in many countries have become living proof of humanity overcoming hatred, and affirm that Vietnam is not alone. Vietnam has become a symbol of justice, courage and the desire for peace.

After 1975, in the context of the country being heavily devastated by war, besieged and embargoed, people's diplomacy, together with Party diplomacy and State diplomacy, "went ahead to pave the way", contributing to removing isolation, clearing bridges divided by war, building trust, mobilizing support from international friends to overcome the consequences of war, rebuild the country, stabilize and develop the economy and society.

Entering the period of innovation and deep integration, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations not only contribute to bringing Vietnam "out into the world", but also bring the world to each locality and each community. With a network of thousands of partners across continents built over time, thousands of peace, solidarity and friendship activities are organized each year with great influence. The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations has affirmed its active role in many regional and international forums; played a good role in relations and aid mobilization, actively supported poverty reduction, ensured social security, supported healthcare, education, environmental protection, overcame the consequences of war, responded to natural disasters and epidemics. Research work, foreign information and overseas Vietnamese have also been strongly promoted, contributing to promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam and enhancing understanding and trust among nations.

Dear comrades and friends,

Imbued with the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh "Emulation is patriotism, patriotism requires emulation, and those who emulate are the most patriotic", the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations always considers emulation as a driving force for innovation and a measure of dedication. In recent years, we have actively responded to movements launched by the Prime Minister and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; at the same time, we have implemented movements launched by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, associated with political tasks such as "Promoting the strength of the entire Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, competing to excellently complete political tasks for the period 2020-2025", "People's diplomacy in the new period", "Cadres, civil servants, and employees of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations compete to implement office culture". Many typical collectives and individuals with good models and creative ways of doing things have appeared, contributing to improving the quality of operations of the entire system.

The commendation work is implemented substantially, with strict procedures, in accordance with regulations and in a timely manner, thereby encouraging friends, international partners and those directly involved in people's diplomacy.

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations has been honored to receive many noble awards from the Party, the State and international friends (twice the Ho Chi Minh Medal, once the First Class Labor Medal). Today, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Traditional Day, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations is honored to receive the First Class Labor Medal - a noble award, a source of pride and also a reminder of the responsibility to continue the glorious tradition.

The 75th Anniversary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations' Traditional Day, receiving the First Class Labor Medal and the Patriotic Emulation Congress for the 2025-2030 period. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Dear comrades and friends,

The positive results that the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations has achieved in recent years are thanks to the correct strategic direction of President Ho Chi Minh and generations of Party and State leaders, the effective support and coordination of departments, ministries, branches, localities, and especially, thanks to the persistent and silent dedication of many generations of cadres. From those who have gone through war but still keep their faith in peace, to cadres today who are working in a turbulent world, but still steadfast in their revolutionary ideals, love of country and friendship between nations.

Allow me to take a moment to reflect on gratitude. I would like to express my gratitude to generations of cadres working in people’s foreign affairs – those who have gone through war, through years of embargo, through the ups and downs of the times, but have never lost faith in humanity and international solidarity.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to the people's movements, to friends and peace-loving people around the world, who took to the streets for Vietnam, spoke up for justice, and gave us not only your support but also your hearts and faith. You stood by the Vietnamese people during the most fierce years of bombs and bullets, when freedom was still a burning desire and peace was still far away. You shared our pain, turned that pain into strength, into a call to arms that shook the conscience of humanity. For us, that sentiment is friendship tested in fire and bullets, solidarity forged by courage and humanity.

We would like to express our gratitude to the people's organizations and veterans who have returned to this land to heal the wounds of war, close the past and pave the way for reconciliation. We would like to express our gratitude to our partners, friends and foreign NGOs who have steadfastly stood side by side with Vietnam in the most difficult times. You have come and stayed, quietly shared, and opened the first doors to reconnect Vietnam with the world. These acts have contributed to creating important changes, helping Vietnam's journey of innovation and integration to be more stable. Today, as Vietnam enters a new stage of development, we appreciate your support and companionship even more. This is the bond that has been built over many years with trust, dedication, and pure friendship, and will continue to be the fulcrum for us to move forward together.

We cannot tell you all the things you have done for Vietnam, but please believe that we have not forgotten anyone. We would like to express our gratitude to all those who have, are and will continue to light the flame of friendship between the Vietnamese people and the people of the world - a flame lit by faith, by humanity and by the common aspiration for a peaceful world.

Dear comrades and friends,

Looking back on the past, we are proud of what we have achieved, but we see more clearly our responsibility for the future. The world is witnessing fundamental changes of the times, posing many new challenges. In this context, people-to-people diplomacy - the closest and most enduring diplomatic channel - must further promote its role as a reliable bridge, a sincere voice of the Vietnamese people to the people of the world.

The 13th National Party Congress affirmed: "Building a comprehensive and modern diplomacy, with three pillars: Party foreign affairs, State diplomacy and people's diplomacy". General Secretary To Lam emphasized that promoting foreign affairs and international integration is an important and regular task. That is both a source of pride and a reminder for us to continue to make efforts, be creative and proactive in the new development stage of the country.

In the coming time, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations will continue to promote tradition, innovate thinking, content and methods of operation; build and consolidate the apparatus in a unified and effective direction, train a team of cadres with courage, ethics and capacity to meet new requirements of the work; consolidate and expand the network of friends, partners and areas of cooperation.

Dear comrades and friends,

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Tradition Day, we not only look back on the past journey, but also contemplate the values ​​that have guided us: compassion, the desire for peace and a steadfast belief in humanity. Through many challenges, these values ​​have shown that sincerity, empathy and goodwill will create the strength to open up possibilities that seem beyond reach. From that journey, history reminds us that: all long-lasting achievements of the nation originate from the people - from unity, the spirit of sharing and the good things preserved through many generations.

There are many difficulties ahead, but these challenges only confirm that dialogue, friendship and human connection – though requiring perseverance – are always the right path, helping us move forward in peace and responsibility.

With that spirit, we move forward: humble yet steadfast, creative yet disciplined, humane yet effective. The 75-year tradition will continue to be a guiding light, reminding us that every kind look, every outstretched hand, every sincere word can create change – however small, but powerful enough to spread.

At this moment, please allow me, once again, to express my deep gratitude to beloved President Ho Chi Minh, to the Party and State leaders; to international friends and partners - those who have, are and will continue to support, share and accompany us on the journey of maturity of Vietnam's people's diplomacy.

May the friendship between the Vietnamese people and people of other countries be forever strong, sincere and open, so that peace and cooperation become a vivid reality in the life of each nation.

Thank you very much!

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/dien-van-ky-niem-75-nam-ngay-truyen-thong-lien-hiep-cac-to-chuc-huu-nghi-viet-nam-217726.html